Panetta strongly endorses Carter for deputy secretary post

Defense Secretary Leon Panetta has endorsed President Barack Obama’s Aug. 2 nomination of Ashton Carter to serve as the next deputy secretary of defense, hailing Carter’s achievements as the department’s current acquisition chief and describing him as a “top strategic thinker,” reports the DOD in a Aug. 2 news release.

“His rapid and responsive support for the warfighter, and technical and program expertise are transforming the way this department does business and acquires weapons systems,” Panetta said in the statement.

Carter, who will replace William Lynn, has served as DOD’s under secretary of defense for acquisition, technology and logistics since April 2009.